Cider Chat

Interviewing cidermakers importers, orchardists, foodies, farmers and cider enthusiasts around the world. Let’s delve into the semantics of cider…or is it hard cider, cidre, sidra or fermented apple juice? The truth is out there in Ciderville and we are going to find it. We toast in celebration of cider; As a libation, a gift from the gods, a taste of terroir, and a hard pressed good time. Ready to quench your thirst? Grab a glass and join this chat! See you in Ciderville!

Araújo Monte, Lda is Portugal's first commercial cidery for the country that borders Spain and its million of Sidra drinking fans.

Marlene Sofia Sousa Araújo whom I speak to in this chat, with the help of Anzu Fernandez as translator, was trained to be a scientist. When she and Patrícia Araújo Monte entered into a contest for entrepreneurs and decided to look at making cider as part of this project, they had no idea that they would win. With the winnings they received basic infrastructure to help launch the cidery along with help for specialist such as enologist (winemakers). Today the cidery has three partners, Marlene, Patrícia and Pedro Miguel Bravo de Faria

Marlene has been making cider since 2011. She received her degree in Biotechnology at Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo [IPVC] thinking she was headed for a career in science. So suffice to say, she didn't plan on becoming a cidermaker.

Araújo Monte, Lda is a costal cidery. They are currently using all sorts of apples and are trying to distinguish which ones create the correct blend. Currently the main apples used are culinary or table apples.

They cidery uses steel tanks.

With winemaking so prominent in Portugal they use wine yeast.

The first cider they made is called Corrupia 6.0% alcoho by volume

Since I spoke to Marlene they now have a new cider on the market called "Cider Sparkling Corrupia" (7.0%)

Who are the cider drinkers in Portugal?

That remains to be seen who will be the cider drinkers in Portugal. Right now they are looking to the drinkers who look outside of the box. Attending the International Hall of Gala Ciders was one of the key reasons why Marlene and Patrícia traveled to Asturias so that they could get a better understanding of the market worldwide. The Portuguese wine cultural is dominant and Araújo Monte has a big task ahead of them to win over their country's thirst.

Who governs cider in Portugal?

It falls under the wine label…sort of. Right now it looks like

"Araújo Monte really doesn't have any limitations because they are setting the standard in Portugal for cider."

There are no limitation on the alcohol level because it is the first cidery in Portugal.

Llorenç Frigola of Mooma cidery, in the Catalonia province of Girona is an Agricultural Engineer by trade who works with a fruit cooperative that has been growing apples for the past 50 years. The cidery started in 2013.

This area of Spain, unlike Asturias, the Basque region, or Cantabria has had no production of cider at all. Mooma looked to providing a value added product to their market. Their goal is to meet the local market that leans towards Champagne and Cava wine (a Catalonia wine made in the champenoise traditional method).

Mooma, stores apples and presses throughout the year. The cider is fermented then micro filtered and the flagship cider and some sugar is added. It is bottled in both 12 ounce bottles and boxed cider as one would find in the UK.

Mooma grew out of the desire to provide value added product to the cooperative's current offerings as Llorenç says, "Our goal is to show to the Cantalan people all that is possible with apples"

Stop on by and let's chat! I have a list of fun cider topics to chat with you for an upcoming podcast.

Cider Chat at Chicago Cider SummitFebruary 11, 2017 Look for the Cider Chat table where I will be recording mini chats with attendees and offering Cider Chat baseball caps.

Luis Ravina Pisaca's title is enology or enologist, which means he is responsible for the cidermaking at Posma cidery in Tenerife, one of seven islands in the Canary Islands that are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa. Posma has been producing cider for 4-5 years.

Luis was attending the International Hall of Gala Ciders in Gijon, Asturias in September 2016. We recorded this chat on the steps outside that all day cider fest.

Posma makes a Sidra Natural which is actually a Brut. Though named Sidra Natural don't expect the typical acetic taste that one might find in the many delicious Asturian Sidras. Posma produced 4000 bottles of this cider in 2016. It is corked and bottle conditioned. The clarity is brilliant. The taste profile is a blend of UK and Asturian, showcasing the best of both those region's (UK and Asturias) ciders. It is light and delicate making it a fine special occasion cider, while providing a savory "Umami" backdrop, with a whisper of acidity. The complexity encourages one to slow down, while at the same time I wanted to gulp back the bottle as my thirst grew for more.

Why did Luis start producing cider?

To address the loss of so many apples that were not being used on Tenerife, Posma began making cider.

What kind of apples varieties do they have?

Tenerife primarily has Reineta (Spanish), Reinnette (as written in French) and Rennet as written in English. apples. It is a yellow skin apple, which is more like a tan than bright yellow.

What is the apple growing scene like on Tenerife?

50-60 hectares (123-148 acres) of apples trees on the island

It is a very desert climate, but they do get snow in the mountains.

The Canary Islands have the highest mountains of any other islands in the world- some are 12000'+

Apples have been grown on the Canary Islands since 1850

Gran Canaria had the first cidery called Gran Valle

What are the ciders like that Posma makes?

They use the Champagne method for producing their Brut

They only make one style of cider

Does Posma have a Tasting Room?

Call ahead to make an appointment.

How is the reception to cider in the area?

Everyone is enjoying cider, both men and women, young and old

Visiting and Landing into the Canary Islands

There are two airport on the island, but the international airport is Los Tenerife North Airport, formerly "Los Rodeos Airport" as Luis refers to it. It is located in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Los Tenerife is 10 kilometers from Posma cidery.